Words / B2

LONG-ing/ˈlɒŋɪŋ/

Longing is a strong wish for something, especially something distant (often uncountable; a longing for): a longing for home; longing to return. Desire is wider; homesickness is narrower. Name the longing in the poem. Mix-up: belonging is membership; long is the adjective/verb. Do not use longing for a mild preference for tea.

Meaning

A strong feeling of wanting something, especially something distant.

Examples

• “Name the longing in the poem, then show the image that carries it.”
• “She spoke of a longing to read medicine, which is the career-wish sense.”

Good to know

a longing for / to + verb. Wider: desire. Trap: belonging / long. Literature and orals. Strong yearning, not a casual like.

Near in meaning

desire

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